The Navy's Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Program: A status report

The importance of unobstructed and controlled airspace in proximity to airports was one of the prime factors that influenced the siting of military air installation and the retention and expansion of these facilities. Over the past few years, however, rapid urbanization has adversely effected both military and civilian airports. For example, communities are becoming more critical of aircraft noise and increasing pressure is being applied by local government and of all the military services, the navy has faced the most intense pressure because the majority of its air stations are located in costal areas which have experienced growth rates far exceeding the natural metropolitan average. The Department of Defense responded to this problem by initiation of the Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Program to protect the public's safety, health, and welfare while forestalling degradation of the operational capability of military air installations. The main intent of AICUZ program is to insure that development of surrounding land will be compatible with the noise levels and accident potential associated with airfield operations. The Navy endeavors to achieve this compatibility through an appropriate mix and locally adopted land use controls such as zoning, easements, and sound attenuation measures.